Fouled Aloisi empathises with Becks

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Given the events of the past fortnight, perhaps John Aloisi should not have felt surprised when struck by David Beckham last weekend. Beckham, after all, was playing his first game for Real Madrid since allegations of adultery surfaced.

The pressure was intense. So when Beckham felled his Australian adversary during Real's upset 3-0 home defeat by Osasuna last Sunday - a loss that relegated the fabled club to second place on the Primera Liga table behind Valencia - Aloisi was more than understanding.

"We went up for a header, he fouled me and asked me if I was all right at the time," Aloisi said. "I walked straight up to him after the game, wished him all the best and I ended up getting his jersey. It's a nice jersey to have... and it's probably worth a bit in England at the moment."

Similarly, Aloisi's Osasuna jersey would likely fetch a high price in the Pamplona region these days. With six games remaining in the season, the once-derided Osasuna club is in fifth place and remains three victories away from clinching a UEFA Cup position - a status almost unimaginable before this season.

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Aloisi's performances have proved vital. And his attacking prowess was again on display last Sunday, when the Adelaide-born striker's deflected shot led to Osasuna's opening goal after only two minutes of play.

"This has been one of the more amazing weeks," Aloisi said. "This is only the second time in Osasuna's history that we have beaten Real at Bernabeu and the atmosphere in Pamplona has been unbelievable, like we just won the league. Most people here don't like Madrid."

Despite Beckham's troubles, Aloisi said his rivals have refrained from using the controversies as a sledging device.

"There's always a bit of back and forth in games when a few challenges are made and the pressure is on," Aloisi said. "There was a bit on the weekend, but none was directed at him. I think everyone realises the amount of pressure and attention on him right now.